Istelle Kunz

Venue: Vaal River

Ground bait: Magic Baits Popcorn Fine Feed mixed with Heavyweight Feed and boosted with Cypri Liquid Carp Food Feed Booster.

Hookbait: Two Chicken Floaties with Plain Instant Dough dipped in Chicken Blood Muti, and Chicken Blood & Sushi Ball Dip on the feed ball.

The day started like any other session on the Vaal River — the sun rising over the water, the sound of reels clicking, and the smell of fresh feed in the air. Although many of us love the thrill of catching carp, I’ve learned that there’s just as much joy in broadening your angling knowledge and targeting other species when the carp go quiet. And what better challenge than taking on one of the strongest fighters in our local waters — the mighty sharptooth catfish, or as we all call it, the barber.

With the wide product range that Magic Baits offers, we have the freedom to think outside the box. Some flavours were designed with carp in mind, but they often tempt catfish even more effectively. That’s what makes experimenting so rewarding — and on this particular day, it truly paid off.

Since the carp were biting slowly, I decided to switch gears and use Chicken Blood Floaties.

These were originally formulated for the catfish’s powerful palate, but they’ve also landed plenty of carp and tilapia for several anglers in the past.

I still made sure my feed was packed with nutrition and feeding triggers — a mix of Popcorn Feed and Heavyweight Feed, boosted with Cypri, one of the best feed boosters in South Africa. This combo gives off a strong food signal, keeping fish confident and feeding on the spot.

For my hookbait, I used Chicken Blood Small Bleeding Floaties, which not only release a potent fishy scent but also bleed a striking red cloud into the water. To top it off, I added Plain Instant Dough and gave the whole bait a generous dip in Chicken Blood Muti. On the ball, I paired it with Chicken Blood and Sushi Boldip — a deadly combination.

The result? A day full of action, a few strong catfish pulling my rods flat, and a whole lot of fun on the bank. That’s what fishing is about — making the most of every moment, no matter the species.

And as always… The Magic Lingers On. ✨